The Character and Trajectory of the Indian Economic Formation in an Era of Globalisation

26 to 28 November 2008, at the University of Delhi

Contact: indian.formation@gmail.com
Web: arts.yorku.ca/neoliberalism

The inherent complexity of the present Indian economic formation has underscored the inadequacy of speculative and empiricist attempts to conceptualise it. The gravity of the contemporary human development situation in India demands an appreciation of this. There is an increasing recognition of the need to combine intellectual forces, across disciplines, to theoretically delineate the precise ways in which the myriad elements of the Indian reality constitute an articulated whole. This is the immediate conjuncture.

Intellectually, this conference relates to two preceding theoretical attempts within social science to understand the specificity and dynamics of economic formations: viz. the European transition debate, and the Indian 'mode of production' debate. In the former, it was observed that, despite the expansion and commercialisation of the entire European economy from the fifteenth century onwards, in particular locales these changes did not necessarily entail a qualitative transformation in society. The latter debate attempted, in a series of exchanges, to specify the 'mode of production' in the Indian agrarian sector.

The aim of this conference is to facilitate discussion and clarification of the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the trajectories discernible in the Indian economic formation. The focus is not to characterise processes in any one sector alone. On the contrary, this conference seeks to unravel the changing interrelationships of various sectors of production and circulation, as well as the linkages that exist with metropolitan capital. In this regard, the actions and reactions of the Indian state in reproducing a totality must analytically be held as of considerable import.

The current moment in India undeniably yields many contradictions. The organisers of this conference consider that there is a need for dialogue that appreciates how social scientific analyses must necessarily produce more nuanced and comprehensive studies of the country.

Details:

The opening keynote will be given by emminent University of Delhi historian Professor K.M. Shrimali. Professor K.M. Shrimali will address the conference on the theme of the mode of production as a concept in Indian historiography, and its salience for contemporary political understandings.

University scholars individually representing 22 states of the Indian Union, have already been confirmed to address the conference.

This conference has been initiated mostly by Indian scholars. However, the participation of researchers of economic formations in the wider South Asian context is very much anticipated and sought. Indeed, the conference expects much discussion of inter-regional and inter-national economic connections.

All interested scholars should submit their work address, a provisional paper title and a one page abstract to the organising committee at indian.formation@gmail.com

Proposals for organising relevant special sessions within the conference will be considered by the organising committee. Please submit the well-developed details to indian.formation@gmail.com ASAP.

A conference registration fee of 150 USD applies to delegates employed or sponsored by institutions/agencies outside of South Asia. Concessions may be granted for certain sections.

All delegates with papers accepted by the conference have the option of staying free of cost November 26th to November 28th in clean and comfortable University of Delhi guesthouse accommodation. Delegates remain free, of course, to make their own alternative arrangements.

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